GPS Kit iPhone App…

24102012

Never lost again!

Kurt turned me onto this iPhone mapping app called GPS Kit. It has user generated trail data for spots I ride on Vancouver Island which is why I like it. I’ve checked out other GPS apps folks have recommended, but content for my neck of the woods was lacking. The app costs $9.99 and downloading trail map data was free. Using this app at Partridge Hills we not only managed to avoid being lost in the woods for the very first time, but we actually were able to scout out some new trails [intentionally] and now that we know where they are on the map we’ll be able to go back and ride them again at will.

Awesome!

When almost all your trail riding is deep in the dark forest with no geographical landmarks to reference off of this sort of navigational aid is greatly appreciated🙂

One issue with the trails shown is that you don’t know what they are like or if they are double-track, singletrack or a creek bed somebody hiked. OTOH I don’t mind exploring as long as I have some idea of where I am.

This is the GPS Kit marketing spew:

GPS Kit is a full-featured GPS system for the iPhone that combines all the functionality of expensive handheld units with the power of wireless technology. Using advanced technology optimized for the iPhone, GPS Kit offers a superbly easy-to-use system that puts data from a wide range of sensors at your fingertips.

Designed for outdoor activities such as hiking, hunting, camping, skiing, cycling, geocaching, mountain biking, motorcycling, off-roading, fishing, and other romping in or out of the backcountry–anywhere in the world.

Real-Time Friend Tracking with “Radar”✝ → Only GPS tracking app that allows you to view friends’ position, heading, and speed on map in real-time → Instant chat on any of 1 million channels → Unlimited range–works across the entire world! → Personalized colors → Meet up at the game, on the hunt, or while traveling → Track your loved one’s adventures LIVE

Powerful Waypoints → Add photos and notes to waypoints that display on map → Drag map to reposition while coordinates update→ UTM, USNG, MGRS→ Long-press to quickly drop a waypoint → Navigate to waypoints using the magnetic compass (3GS, 4, iPad) or GPS compass (3G) → See distance to waypoint update in real-time on the map

Weather Stations – only in GPS Kit!→ Create “weather stations” to get point forecasts→ Get data specific to your favorite fishing hole, ski tour, etc.→ Data provided by the National Weather Service→ Unlimited number of stations(U.S. Only)

I’ve only started using it so I’ll hold off on a review until the summer. So far it’s promising in terms of getting us out and riding areas that have always been a bit confusing. It’s not a perfect solution as my iPhone is expensive and doesn’t love being wet or getting dropped. It’s also an older 3GS model with less than stellar battery life and I don’t own a bike mount so I have to pull it out constantly to verify where I am. The iPhone screen also won’t work with my gloved fingers so that’s another hassle every time I want to see where we are.

I’m hopeful that I can use this app to learn my way around our local riding areas to the point where I don’t need to use it so often as a reference.

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5 responses

I’m trying to learn more about these apps, in general. Any idea on how long this one will run on your iphone? I’ve talked to some riders I know who use these types of apps, but they say you can only get about 70 minutes, or so. Is that right?

It will depend on your phone, the air temperature, how often you use the screen, etc… So no definitive answer. I’ve used the map software for a 3hr ride without any issues. Probably referring to the map/turning on the screen 5-6 times per hour. I had lots of battery left at the end.

If you have the phone going the whole time with the screen lit up I can see it dying a lot sooner.

25102012

AaronM(08:54:27) :

A common complaint about not being able to use the touch screens with gloves. I’ve found that gloves with real leather palms/fingers will work on my iPod Touch & iPhone, they even work on my computer’s track-pad!

25102012

AaronM(08:56:00) :

… smooth leather works better than suede.

1112012

Jason(17:21:23) :

Pick up some good conductive thread. Sew about a 1/4″ diameter spot on the outside fingertip in such a way that the thread makes contact with your finger in the inside. Any glove can now work with your touchscreen.